The upper echelons of Channel 4 are institutionally ageist, its former racing pundit, John McCririck, argued yesterday, insisting that the broadcaster had been bothered about his age and not his “big fat sexist letch” image.

Mr McCririck, 73, named executives he claimed had a “dismal” age discrimination record and said the broadcaster had lost its moral high ground and was now “scrabbling in the gutter” for money and ratings.

He accused Jay Hunt — the former BBC One controller criticised over the sacking of Miriam O’Reilly from Countryfile because of her age, and now chief creative officer at Channel 4 — of